Directory of Traditional Building Skills

Specialists in restoration of stone work, using traditional techniques to ensure the finished product compliments its surroundings. Repair of Rubble walled projects, repointing and stone replacements using local stone.

Previous Work:

Repair of stone wall, Deerpark Road, Doagh 2013

St Patrick's Church of Ireland, Jordanstown 2012
Stone entrance widened

Caralbanagh, 2012
Installation of Natural Basalt Wall with Pillars

Mike Carswell is originally from county Down but is now managing woodland in county Wicklow. He can supply coppiced hazel products - poles, rods, gads, spars, laths, wattle etc. Cleft sweet chestnut or oak when available. Timber framing and hand hewn beams etc - cleaving and adzing a speciality.

All work carried out using traditional methods; cleaving, hewing and adzing. Mostly using hand tools and always with wood sourced from well managed woodland. Mike is a member of the Carpenters Fellowship UK and Pro-silva Ireland.

Previous Work

Lean to frame
Chestnut woven lathe panel
Westmorland-Panels
Cleft Field Gate

Specialist in stone restoration, lime repointing and consolidation of old or historic buildings.

Previous Work:

Bishop's Palace, Downhill 2013
Consolidation of structure, removing and rebuilding windows, arches, walls and doorways. Included repointing.

Crumlin Road Gaol, Belfast 2013
Restoration of sandstone, windows, doors and door jambs. Included creating new basalt walls and repointing with lime mortar.

Lagan Lock, Lough Keepers Cottage at Shaw's Bridge 2012
Complete renovation involving restoration of stonework, repointing of brick and reusing as much of existing stone as possible.

Specialists in mosaic, tile and decorative glass restoration and design of Victorian Floors, Walls Panels and Logos.

Previous Work:

Shankill Road Carnegie Library 2011
Restoration of mosaic floor including pattern matching.

Falls Road Carnegie Library 2011
Extensive restoration of mosaic floor using salvaged materials from church restoration.

Elmwood Hall, Queen's University Belfast 2012

Specialists in stone restoration and stone cleaning including marble and limestone floors, brick repair and repointing with traditional methods. Also restorers of chimneys and granite steps or cills.

Previous Work:

Grafton Street, Dublin 2012
Restoration of Limestone facade, repaired brick facade including all cleaning and replacement of missing bricks.

Marlborough Road, Dublin 2012
Cleaning and restoration of brick facade including repointing and chimney repair.

City Hall, Dublin 2011
Portland stone floors cleaned, rotunda column bases restored and all internal marble fittings cleaned and restored including the staircase.

SSpecialists in the repair, extension and alteration of historic listed buildings including churches, garden follies, thatched cottages and historic houses.

Previous Work:

Gortinure Road, Maghera 2013
Complete sympathetic restoration of existing dwelling back to its original form.

Grillagh Road, Maghera 2013
Restoration of existing dwelling and construction of an extension.

Cromore Gate Lodge, 2011
Complete restoration and conversion of existing gate lodge into full licensed restaurant.

Specialists in commercial, ecclesiastical and residential restorations with a strong portfolio of Barn conversions.

Awards: Finalist on BBC NI House of the Year 2012

Previous Work:

Custom House, Londonderry 2011
Restoration of external fabric, contemporary extension to rear of building and reinstatement of original entrance.

O'Briens Funeral Parlour, Londonderry 2010
Extension and conversion of a School House into Funeral Hall with restoration of original trusses.

Ballyarton Barn, Londonderry 2009
Restoration, extension and conversion of 1930s threshing barn into a dwelling.

Encompassing: Restoration - Church furniture maker- Replication - Designing

Commissions- National Trust work

Architectural detail copied and designed in any period by a specialist wood carver.

Previous Work

Crest
Wood carving for Coleraine Borough Council.

Mahogany Handrail
Private House.

Master Mould Carving
Carving for a master mould for casting.

Specialists in the repair, extension and alteration of historic listed buildings including churches, garden follies, thatched cottages and historic houses.

Previous Work:

Hillsborough Castle 2014.
Commissioned to create a Conservation Management Plan.

Kew Palace Georgian Kitchens, 2011.
A Conservation Management Plan was produced to inform future restoration and representation.

Kew Palace Pagoda, 2013.
A Conservation Management Plan was completed to inform future development.

Architects specialising in renovation & alteration works to historic buildings. Ecological consideration is taken when selecting materials as this is complementary to any conservation work undertaken.

Awards: RSUA Commendation 2000 & 1998.

Awards: Finalist on BBC NI House of the Year 2012

Previous Work:

Millin bay House, Portaferry 2013
Major renovation works to vernacular 19th century farm house.

Spud Lodge, Crossgar 2012
Conversion of stone farm-building into a residential dwelling.

Belfast Chiropractice Clinic, Belfast 2013
Renovation of red brick Victorian building including upgrading building fabric to comply with current standards.